About Us

Emily Cawley, Studio Owner

Emily Cawley, originally from Beaverton, Oregon has been a student at Bonfire Hot Yoga since 2011. She has lived and practiced in Seattle, New York City, and Vancouver BC. Emily was earned her 200 hour certification in 2016, when attended training to teach the 26 and 2 series with Sarah Grace, Kathy Allen and Kevin Cooke at Sealevel Hot Yoga. For the two years after her training she taught at several studios in Seattle before moving back to her hometown to become the owner of Bonfire Hot Yoga. Her teaching style is clear and supportive, with particular focus in compassion and discipline. She teaches Ghosh lineage yoga, though her dedication to other styles of practice influences her teaching. Outside of yoga, Emily has over 10 years experience as a teaching artist, with focuses in generative theatre work, voice and speech, and social-emotional learning. Emily lives with her husband Michael and their dog Sophie.

Seth Brown, Director of Development

Seth, originally from Seattle, Washington, has been teaching yoga for five years, and practicing for 16 years. He has studied yin yoga with Bernie Clark and Sarah Powers, Ghosh lineage with Esak Garcia, Vipassana meditation with senior teacher S.N Goenka, and iRest, yoga nidra with Richard Miller. Seth’s style is that of strength through compassion, freedom through discipline.

Seth was first introduced into yoga when he was 14 years of age through the wisdom of his parents, after a second brain surgery in 2003. The style was a form of Qi Gong using Reiki principles, channelling energies in the body to stimulate healing and physical and mental well-being. At the age of 18, Seth was introduced to Bikram yoga, this time more as a form of physical exercise. Bikram yoga also had tremendous benefit on long sustained nerve damage. In 2013, a third brain surgery ushered him to change careers from the welding and fabrication industry into yoga – the moment he awoke in the hospital after the operation he knew the way forward would only come through yoga.

In 2014, almost exactly a year after his last operation, he attended Bikram teacher training in Khao Lak, Thailand. Afterward, he travelled and taught yoga in Australia, India and numerous cities in the USA. Seth volunteers his time on a regular basis with non-profits and other groups providing yoga to people with disabilities as well as at-risk youth. As a complement to his yoga practice, his alternate ego a street performer, dressing up as a pirate and entertaining crowds at parades, festivals and other community events.

Eune Park

Eune started Bikram yoga practice in New York city in 2002 when she was working as an IT professional in financial industry, but suffering from stress and physical pain from sitting all day in front of computer. She found out tremendous benefits from regular practice, decided to quit her job and become a Bikram yoga teacher, received her Bikram Certification in the Fall of 2005. After the training, she set to work teaching in Korea, New York City, and New Jersey studios, now carrying almost a decade of teaching under her belt.
Eune is so excited and grateful sharing her experience and passion with all of you.

Ahmad Kouklani

I was born in Tehran-Iran and came to the US at the age of 15. I was introduced to Bikram yoga by a friend in 1999 who knew that I had a bad left knee from playing competitive soccer for over 20 years and that I had a wrist problem from working at my restaurant chopping tomatoes, onions, and cilantro for the fresh salsa that we serve every day. My friend was using the yoga to heal her migraine headaches and she told me it will heal your knee and your wrist. She said, “It is hard, challenging and very HOT!!!” “Just be patient, it is rewarding!”. I did not like it in the beginning, my friend forgot to tell me that it would be painful too.
After 2 months of practicing 3-5 times /week my wrist started to open and I could sleep without pain. I had spent years of sleepless nights! I became motivated and practiced every day. I was sold on Bikram Yoga! My knee took longer to open and heal, but after 5 years, I found that I could walk up and down stairs with out pain. You cannot put a price on that!
I decided to become a teacher not only to share this great experience with the rest of the world, but to get paid doing something I love. As you know it can get expensive! I graduated from Teacher Training in the Fall of 2009 and I have not stopped teaching since. I love my yoga family! Bikram Yoga has changed my life in such a positive way!!!

Vicki Rounds

I began teaching Bikram Yoga in 2002 and other styles of yoga since 2004. I became interested in health and healing while experiencing serious health issues my late teen’s and traditional medicine could not offer solutions. I began studying alternative healing practices and philosophies. Along that journey, I became a Certified Reiki Master, Kinesiologist, Iridologist, Spiritual Response Therapist, Rebirthing Facilitator, Nutritional Consultant, and Bikram Teacher. Also, I studied Ayurveda, Life Coaching, Oriental Medicine, many forms of energy healing, breath work, numerous philosophies, etc. I practiced hatha yoga for a number of years before beginning to practice Bikram yoga in 2001. The heat of the Bikram room helped me to open up my body to another level that promoted greater healing. And, began practicing other yoga styles in 2004 after experiencing phenomenal healing practicing Bikram. I found yoga in general helps me to be self-aware, connected to my breath and I choose to bring that into the practice room with my teaching.

Jaya ThompsonJaya began practicing Bikram style Hot Yoga in 2002 and began his yoga teaching career that same year at the Hall Street studio. He went on to share his passion for yoga, espousing its many benefits, during subsequent journeys around the world. Having returned to his Hall Street Yoga home, he continues to share his joy for yoga instruction and loves being a part of our community.

Megan PattenMy first yoga class was a Bikram yoga class on a hot, summer day in Bend, Oregon in 2008. My aunt Carol had just completed her Bikram Teacher Training program and invited me accompany her to class. I remember how that final Savasana felt. I was at home, at peace. I felt a deep connection to myself. I practiced quite sporadically after that, unable to truly dedicate myself to practicing yoga. Although I felt the healing benefits yoga had to offer me (reduction of stress, anxiety and depression and better sleep) I wouldn’t fully commit. In 2014, something shifted, and I was graced with the ability to make yoga a priority. I started to practice at least 5 times a week and began to notice changes in every aspect of my life. Yoga is the “medicine” for my body, mind and spirit. When I take it daily, I feel whole and complete. When I began adding Vinyasa and Yin styles to the mix, my Bikram practice found new depths.

I completed my 200 hour Initial Yoga Teacher Certification program with dina Lang in January, 2016. Practicing Yoga has changed my life in infinite ways. For me, teaching yoga is a sacred opportunity to help others find the healing they need. I look forward to sharing what I have learned with you as you meet yourself on this transformative yoga journey.

Sean Lee

My yoga journey began when my wife, Eune, dragged me into a Bikram class on a hot summer day of 2004. I found myself lying down on the mat right after the first set of Pranayama breathing and stayed there for most of the class. But my teacher, Georgia didn’t give up on me and encouraged me to come back. Well, I somehow did and kept coming back, eventually ended up in Acapulco for Teacher Training in Fall 2008. After the training, I started to teach regularly in NY/NJ studios.

It all started in search of healing for childhood injuries, and pains and stress of desk jobs. But I learned a lot more and Yoga changed my life. I would love to share my stories and help achieve your goals in your practice. I hope to see your “happy smiling faces” in class.

Sasha Harvey

Yoga to me is my inner escape, getting to know oneself. Born in sunny South Florida and a student of dance, I found yoga as an outlet and a way to feel my muscles through deep stretching and holding poses. After settling in Portland I wanted to dive deeper into my practice, spiritually and physically so I signed up for YoYoYogi RYT 200 hour teacher training and after graduation further continued my education with Jill Knouse 35 hour Elevate program.
Every day is a new discovery for me, on the mat, at home, with family & friends and even when I’m alone. With a strong yet gentle flow, focusing on breath to movement and teaching the basics, my 75 minute session will hopefully leave you with a raw connection to one’s self. Expect to dig deep, nourish your soul and feel good.

Janci Butler

Janci Butler RYT200 has been teaching yoga in Portland for 16 years. She teaches the Gentle class at Bonfire. This is a slow moving but challenging class that combines yoga with alignment.

In this class you will learn about your body and how to move slow and purposefully to tease out the “lazy spots”. Experience the kind of results we all want, better mobility, a sunnier outlook on life and happier joints.

Yoga inspires Janci to remain a life-long student. She hopes you will join her on this rewarding, fun journey that guides you towards greater self-knowledge.

Butler;Janci/M
janciyoga@gmail.com

Jaromey Chase

Jaromey has been an international yoga instructor for over twenty years. She humbly follows the lineage of traditional Ashtanga Yoga taught by Pattahbi Jois and the modern Yin yoga practise of Paulie Zink and Paul Grilley. She routinely practices all types of yoga because she truly believes that in all philosophy, religion, culture and tradition there is so many good things to learn and to apply to one’s life. Outside of yoga her favorite activities are travelling, wakeboarding, biking, surfing and hiking with her dog Charlie.

Maui Ramos​
Maui is a self-proclaimed movement enthusiast and messenger of wonder. He studied various yoga modalities at the Yandara Yoga Institute in Baja California, Mexico and is a registered Yoga Alliance instructor at the 200-RYT level as well as a certified Reiki healer. To him, leading a yoga practice is not only about teaching proper poses; it’s about hinting at the underlying truth – it is all connected! Maui is friendly and humorous, yet well versed in asana and yogic philosophy. He creates a casual, welcoming, and nonjudgmental atmosphere where one is free to experiment and be creative. Thanks to his background in various movement arts (fire juggling, capoeira, dance, and bouldering), his inspired flows and pose variations can be playful and eccentric. Come prepared for anything! Each class is well thought out and refreshingly different than the last. His main ambition: To inspire and empower individuals to get moving, explore, and sustain a balanced & personally fulfilling lifestyle.

Abby Kielpinski

Yoga found me in 2011. Suffering from work induced anxiety, I sought out relief and relaxation. Mostly, I binge watched Netflix. I stumbled upon a yoga class on Netflix called ‘Candlelight Yoga.’ It’s not there anymore, I checked. Sad day. The results were immediate and I was hooked. Two years later I had finished college, thankfully with a different job, and was off to the next adventure. I arrived in Goa, India September 2013 for my yoga teacher training. As my first solo venture outside the U.S., nervous was an understatement. I spent a month of living in yoga pants, washing my clothes in bucket, buying the “value size” toilet paper (4 rolls), and of course practicing/memorizing the Ashtanga Primary Series. I could go on and on about India. Let me know if you want to chat more about it! Since my teacher training, I have been teaching Vinyasa and Ashtanga inspired flows in California. Since moving to Oregon in March 2016 with my wonderful life partner, Maui, I haven’t jumped back into teaching, until now! I could not be more excited!

Laura Riverman

I started doing yoga on a regular basis in 2008 when a friend told me about a Hot Yoga class that I needed to try. It was my first experience doing yoga in a really hot room for 90 minutes–and I couldn’t wait to get the heck out of there–thinking the class was lasting FOREVER! The funny thing was, I felt great for the rest of the day and couldn’t wait to try it again. After several months, I became a Bikram Yoga regular student and practiced 3-5 times a week for many years. When the studio changed hands, the new owner added Vinyasa & Yin Yoga along with interesting workshops to add a variety to the Bikram only schedule. I fell in love with the different types of yoga and found myself growing in my practice, becoming more mindful in body, mind, and breath when doing the postures. In 2017 I began a 200 HR yoga teacher-training program. The certification inspired me to want to share my passion for yoga with other students. I started teaching yoga a week after graduating and haven’t looked back.
Yoga will be a lifelong practice for me. I look forward to continually learning, practicing and teaching.

Ron Wyn

Bridging a scientific background with meditation, depth psychology, breath and bodywork, I have spent the last thirty years developing the necessary skills to provide people with the means to delve into themselves as they rediscover the path of least resistance to their natural sense of happiness, well-being, and inner peace.

I happened upon Yoga Nidra in 1997, at a time when troubled relationships were forcing me out of my patterned shell and opening my heart to more expanded inner experiences. I was immediately struck by its effectiveness and the way this ancient, sleep-based guided meditation made use of breath and body awareness techniques to promote (among many other things!) deep relaxation while allowing my system to restore its innate balance effortlessly. Needless to say, I was sold! Yoga Nidra quickly became an integral part of my daily practice, and has been an invaluable tool in my work with others ever since. I am trained in the Amrit Method of Yoga Nidra, iRest Yoga Nidra Meditation, Korean Zen Buddhism, as well as in rebirthing, and hold a RYT-200 certification with Yoga Alliance. Looking forward to welcoming you home to yourself!

Amy Harris

I am hooked on yoga for its ability to help improve posture, balance, health, peace of mind, patience, strength, and athletic ability as a lifelong activity. I particularly enjoy the therapeutic benefits of yoga after witnessing the improved fitness and level of physical comfort yoga offers. I also love guiding students to find their mental and emotional bliss. My intention is to cultivate a yoga experience that is enjoyable and respects individuality with lots of options – helping students achieve what is most important to them. I teach vinyasa, power vinyasa, hatha, yin, restorative, and yoga nidra.

Amy has been a certified yoga teacher since 1999. She a registered yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance, Core Power Yoga, and is a certified group exercise instructor. Prior to teaching yoga, she specialized in science as a school teacher/science curriculum coordinator for grades K-8, with degrees in Education and Human Development. Countless hours on the mat and in workshops continue to motivate Amy to share her love of yoga and its benefits with others.

Isabel Falcon (Joti Sangett Kaur)

I started my Journey in Yoga almos 9 years ago and transform my self and my life .

I practice and teach both Hatha and Kundalini Yoga. I see my Hatha practice as daily maintenance a great way to work out kinks in my body, get grounded and calm. My Kundalini practice is a place of transformation. The kriyas and meditations are much more specific than your regular flow class, much like an Iyangar or Gosh practice, but rather than focusing on physical alignment, the kriyas are a specific set of exercises that generate energy, organize that energy and deliver you to a specific energetic state particularly one of greater awareness.

Also within the practice are built-in moments of stillness where we sit quietly and awaken to our Self. The breathwork within the kriyas is so powerful that it starts to strip away the layers that veil our consciousness, and in the sweet moments between poses we can sense the fullness of who we are. The kriyas work on strengthening your nervous system, balancing your glandular system, purifying the body and calming the mind.

I have practiced kriyas that have left me blissed out, high and filled with a sense of connection and joy, and others that have provoked and confronted me to the very core of who I am, both physically and mentally. I have learned to stay present and accept pleasure and pain as part of the same journey to health and balance. Our ego naturally leans towards pleasure and comfort. It takes concerted effort and discipline to begin to release the ego’s grip on our consciousness. This effort is the work required to begin to access the truth of who we are, to create a strong connection to our Soul and therefore our Soul’s work on this planet. It is where we start to make great strides toward living as an enlightened being.

Before practicing Kundalini Yoga, I had done some meditation, but it had always been elusive for me. Meditations within Kundalini Yoga are multifaceted. You can do the simplest forms, such as breath awareness or simple mantra, or explore more elaborate meditations where there is a specific breath, mantra and mudra that all work together to balance different aspects of the mind and body. When practiced for 40–120 days, the result is pure magic.

Krystal Conniry

Krystal is a fun-loving, approachable yogi who loves to move her body and breathe deeply. Her classes are designed to guide students into a stronger awareness of their breath and a deeper connection with their bodies. She believes that yoga is an amazing vehicle towards acquiring optimum health and wellness of mind, body, and spirit. Krystal’s passion is for people to experience and understand their own inner beauty and unique strengths, at the most genuine level. It is always her intention to create an uplifting and safe environment, in which students can gain knowledge, express themselves creatively, and develop tools of insight that they can take off their mats and into their communities.